STIHL has a brand-new pro-level chainsaw that is to replace the popular MS 261. It’s the MS 300 C-M, which is described as a “compact, lightweight, professional petrol chainsaw is ideal for forestry work in small and medium-sized crops.”
Scheduled for release in Europe in 2026, STIHL also states, “Thanks to its excellent power-to-weight ratio, the MS 300 C-M offers ideal conditions for fast, energy-saving delimbing and cutting of trees and for sawing firewood. Felling thin trees is also easy.”
Here’s what STIHL officially said regarding the 261:
The new MS 300 will replace the MS 261. The MS 400 has more power than the MS 300, so the two models aren’t really competing with each other 😉!
And:
The MS 300 has a displacement of 53.2 cm³. The MS 261 has 50.2 cm³. The MS 300 is therefore both lighter and more powerful than the MS 261, and it has the acceleration of the MS 500i 💪!
More of these comments from STIHL below!
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model/variants | MS 300 C-M; MS 300 C-M VW (heated-handle / cold-weather version) |
| Engine type | STIHL 2-MIX petrol engine |
| Engine management | M-Tronic 3 / 3.0 |
| Displacement | 53.2 cm³ / 3.2 cu in |
| Power output | 3.30 kW / 4.40 bhp (STIHL also lists 4.50 PS) |
| Dry weight | 4.85 kg / 10.69 lb approx., without fuel and cutting attachment |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 1.46 kg/kW / 2.42 lb/hp approx. |
| Sound pressure level | 105 dB(A) |
| Sound power level | 119 dB(A) |
| Vibration, left/right | 4.2 / 4.2 m/s² = 13.78 / 13.78 ft/s² approx. |
| CO₂ emissions | 744 g/kWh |
| Chain type | .325″ RS Pro |
| Chain gauge | 1.3 mm / .050″ |
| Guide bar | Germany: 35 cm / 13.78 in package; Denmark: 40 cm / 16 in Light 04 package |
The MS 300 C-M VW is the cold-weather version of the MS 300. On STIHL’s official Nordic launch pages, the VW model is described as the same compact, high-performance MS 300 platform, but with temperature-controlled carburetor preheating and heated handles.
Features
Intended use
Professional forestry saw for felling and processing medium stands, plus limbing and firewood cutting.
Engine/control
STIHL 2-MIX engine with fully electronic M-Tronic 3.0 engine management.
Acceleration/throttle response
STIHL highlights very fast response: idle to 10,000 rpm in 0.2 s on the Denmark page, and 0 to 100 km/h chain-speed equivalent in 0.25 s on the Germany page.
Cutting setup
Uses STIHL .325″ RS Pro chain; STIHL also pairs it with the Light 04 guide bar on official pages and cut-kit listings.
Filtration
Long-life air filtration system with pre-separation and HD2 air filter for longer service intervals.
Chain oiling
STIHL Ematic system for targeted chain lubrication; STIHL says this can reduce oil consumption by up to 50%.
Oil pump
Adjustable oil pump, with access called out as easy on the Germany page.
Ergonomics
Compact, light pro layout with ergonomic handle geometry and an extra-wide knee support/contact area for comfort and control.
Direction/felling aids
STIHL says the fan housing includes plunge-cut guide lines parallel to the bar centerline, plus a vertical felling line to help with directional accuracy.
Fuel tank visibility
Transparent fuel tank with a visible fill level; Germany specifically mentions a 50% marking on the tank housing.
Cleaning/underside design
Smooth underside with straight/longitudinal ribs to reduce dirt buildup and make cleaning easier.
Market positioning
STIHL markets it as a 50 cc-class saw with a very strong power-to-weight focus.
Official pages
Germany: live official product page for MS 300 C-M.
It shows the saw as “coming soon”, lists €1,249, and the page also shows both MS 300 C-M and MS 300 C-M VW variants.
Denmark: live official product page.
It shows MS 300 C-M with a 40 cm / 16″ Light 04 bar and RS Pro 1.3 mm chain setup, plus an availability reminder; the same page says sales start autumn 2026.
Denmark: separate official launch/pro page says the MS 300 will be available in September 2026 via stihl.dk and authorised dealers, and gives the full spec block: 53.2 cc, 3.3 kW, M-Tronic 3, 4.85 kg dry weight.
Sweden: official launch page published 30 March 2026 says sales start September 2026 and explicitly mentions both MS 300 C-M and MS 300 C-M VW.
Norway: official launch page says the MS 300 will be available in September 2026 and also lists both C-M and C-M VW.
Finland: official launch page says the MS 300 will be available in September 2026 and also mentions the VW heated-handle version.
What STIHL is officially saying about the saw
Across the official launch/product pages, the consistent core spec set is 53.2 cc, 3.3 kW, 2-MIX engine, M-Tronic 3, 4.85 kg without fuel/cutting gear, 1.46 kg/kW power-to-weight ratio, 105 dB(A) sound pressure, 119 dB(A) sound power, and 4.2 / 4.2 m/s² vibration.
The feature set STIHL repeats includes very fast acceleration, forestry-oriented ergonomics, HD2 long-life filtration, adjustable oil pump, transparent fuel tank, and direction/felling guide markings; Germany also claims 0 to 100 km/h chain speed-equivalent in 0.25 s, while Denmark says idle to 10,000 rpm in 0.2 s.
Response
Here are some of the early comments from this Dutch YouTube video which introduces the MS 300:
- @wffv-i9b said, “Nice and all, especially extremely lightweight, but my favorites, the 44, 66, and 88, are still in use after 36 years.”
- @dersteffen455 said, “The power-to-weight ratio is really impressive ❤”
- @dachrisdermannamklavier4225 said, “The Husqvarna 550 better watch out.”
@Fjarninger says:
The 241 is discontinued, the 261 is discontinued. The next smaller size would be the 201. But the gap is quite large.
I’d also like a heated handle, but I’m probably a bit of an exception in nature conservation/moorland protection, girdling trees and felling small timber on weekends. Sure, there’s a cheap 231, but the power-to-weight ratio just isn’t the same. It seems there’s no room in the naming convention between the two, which I can understand if they want to produce effective quantities, as we saw with the 241, although I obviously don’t know any sales figures and am just speculating.
Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to the 300. Then I’ll have more power and the same weight, cutting through the wood faster, and with my wear and tear rate, there will eventually be affordable replacement cylinders available.
And STIHL offers additional info in response to questions on the video saying:
Thank you for your inquiry and feedback.
The handle of the new MS 300 will have the same ergonomic design as the handle of the MS 400. We will gladly pass on your feedback internally.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the MS 300 C-M with a 35 cm bar length is €1,249. Please visit our website for more information about the saw.
And:
The MS 300 is a new development. It’s not the MSA 300 with a combustion engine 😅.
And:
The combination of M-Tronic 3.0 and our new engine concept ensures that the acceleration is comparable to the MS 500i 💪!
And:
The new MS 300 will replace the MS 261. The MS 400 has more power than the MS 300, so the two models aren’t really competing with each other 😉!
And:
The combination of M-Tronic 3.0 and our new engine concept ensures that the acceleration is comparable to the MS 500i 💪!
And:
The MS 300 will replace the MS 261 and take the place between the MS 201 and the MS 400. An MS 350 is not planned!
And:
The new MS 300 will replace the MS 261, so no additional saws will be added to the product range.
The legendary MS 261 C-M will only be available while supplies last. So grab one quickly and secure this classic! 💪
And:
On the MS 300 C-M product page, you can also set up an availability reminder and will be automatically notified as soon as the saw is available. Your local STIHL dealer will also be happy to inform you 😎.
But if you want to be among the first to see the STIHL MS 300 in person, why not come to Forst Live in Offenburg (March 27-29)?
And:
We’ve received a lot of positive feedback about the MS 400 and we’re sure the MS 300 will exceed expectations 😎!
And:
The new MS 300 C-M will replace the MS 261 C-M. So if you’d like to get an MS 261, it’s best to order one today.
There are many more comments from the official STIHL account on the video, so be sure to check it out!
